Indianapolis 500 Milk Bottle

The Drink of Milk in Victory Lane
For over 70 years, winners of the Indianapolis 500 have celebrated in Victory Lane (now Victory Circle) with a hearty swig from an ice-cold bottle of milk – a ceremony recognized around the world as unique to the Indy 500.
In an interview shortly before his death in 1995, Meyer recalled that his favorite beverage during his driving years was buttermilk and that’s what he asked for following the second of his three wins. Three years later, on the occasion of his third 500-Mile victory, he was photographed drinking milk in Victory Lane. Several years after that, the Bottle of Milk became a permanent part of the post-race celebration when Anton “Tony” Hulman decided that milk was a wholesome and appropriate beverage for Victory Lane festivities. For those who may be wondering what the winning driver drinks, it’s no longer buttermilk. Today, it’s delicious, nutrient rich, ice-cold milk served in a glass quart bottle.
The American Dairy Association of Indiana and its Indiana dairy farm families are responsible for ensuring that the Victory Circle tradition endures and prospers. In fact, Sports Illustrated magazine has recognized the bottle of milk given annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500 as No. 1 among the "sports world's coolest prizes."

You are invited to a marriage! Love at first sight, Cheese and zucchini go together like…..

All squashes, including zucchini, originated in the Americas. Archaeologists have found evidence of zucchini in Mexico as early as 7000 BC. Ancient Central Americans ate a diet rich in corn, beans and squash, a combination known today as “the three sisters.” When European explorers conquered the region in the 1500s, they brought back exotic foods from the New World, including zucchini.

The folks at Wellcat.com are at it again. They must love to celebrate for they’ve created many special days for our calendars. On August 29th, they want us to really look at foods we prepare with salt (sodium) and substitute herbs for that spice. We all need to reduce our sodium intakes for better health!!

Aah, back to school time. I always got a kick out of the Staples commercial where the family is shopping for back to school supplies, and the parents are smiling and frolicking while “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” plays. And of course, the kids are sulking and looking unhappy. I’m not sure that’s so typical these days, but there’s still a change in dynamics when it’s time to go back to school.

August 26th – A day that has gone to the dogs! It is National Dog Day! This is a special day for dogs and dog lovers that is celebrated annually in the United States. I am an animal lover and especially love dogs. Gunther, my dog who should have his own reality show, has provided me with so much happiness.

He also causes me a little stress. He likes to get into the trash, ignores me when I say ‘Gunther come!’, eats whatever he can get is grubby little paws on, and the list goes on and on. He also will only eat his dog food if it is mixed with cottage cheese. I don’t blame him, because I do love cottage cheese plus it’s high in protein and calcium. (But he doesn’t know that- he is just being difficult.)

This little brown 30 pound ball of fur is a handful. This is one of the many reasons why I have an immense respect for dairy farmers. Not only does the average Indiana dairy farmer take care of 100 + cows that weigh about 1400 pounds a piece, they help produce a wholesome product for the Hoosier state! A dairy cow helps feed the world. Gunther eats my shoes.

What he does provide is great companionship and happens to be a great motivator to go for a run or walk. After all, dogs are man’s best friend, right? If you need a couple more reasons to have a dog let me rattle off some for you:

If you drop food on the floor- they will clean it right up!

They are always happy to see you.

They listen and provide unconditional love.

They help teach responsibility.

If you have always wanted to adopt a dog but just never found the right time to do so – today is the day!

The third annual Dig IN event is Sunday, August 26 from Noon until 5:00 pm! This could be the best sampling of wonderful Indiana agriculture you will find! Dig IN spotlights food grown by Indiana farmers and prepared by local chefs doing their best to promote and entice Hoosiers on the bounty at our fingertips daily.

Back to school time also means a fresh start to Fuel Up to Play 60! So what’s new? Here are a few things that Program Advisors AND students can use:

For Program Advisors: The Competition Stadium

New! Kick off Fuel Up to Play 60 with a friendly competition in your school! Visit your Dashboard at FuelUpToPlay60.com and enter “The Stadium” for great ideas and guidance on how to start a Fuel Up to Play 60 competition in your school.

Want to get your students excited about the new school year and about Fuel Up to Play 60? Start a competition in your school! Challenge another grade or classroom to see who tracks more days or to see how many badges are earned over a time period you control! It’s all at your fingers tips in The Stadium, available on all Program Advisor Dashboards at FuelUpToPlay60.com

If you haven’t been to the Indiana State Fair yet this year you still have a few more days to join in the fun. Wherever you go on the fairgrounds you are bound to learn more about why milk is good for you, how dairy farmers take care of their animals and land, and why dairy is good for the economy. There is fun at every turn!